I've had moderate success with Snowshoe Hare (1 hare in 2 trips) and I'm hoping to improve my technique before I head out again. I'm in WMU 6-8 (Smithers) so finding suitable spots to hunt isn't a problem. I'm more concerned with the particulars of my technique and any tips would be very much appreciated.
My favourite spot is around a deactivated FSR that hasn't grown in yet. On the morning that I got my hare I spent around an hour slowly and chaotically making my way through the forest parallel to the road: stopping, staring, and changing direction. Despite finding a lot of tracks (though no well worn runs) all I saw was squirrels. I ran out of time and headed to the road to walk out. While thoughtlessly glancing to the side of the road I spotted my hare - just sat there out in the open. I shot him and ate him two days later in a delicious pie. Thinking about this experience I developed a theory: in crashing through the woods I scared the hare into a bolt, but he stopped when he hit the road as it was too exposed.
My questions:
1) Does this suggest a successful hare hunting strategy? Perhaps I can make my way down the road in circuits - go 200 metres south through the forest, parallel to the road, then 150 metres north up the road and repeat.
2) Much of the advice online involves staring into depressions and brush looking for marble eyes or ear tips, but at what distance should I be focusing? Is it pointless to concentrate on the brush at 5 metres? Do I have any hope of seeing hares in the brush at 30 metres? Next time I head out I'm taking binoculars - not because they're required for the distances I'm working with but because they force a specific focal distance and the naked eye isn't as effective in thick brush.
I'd be very grateful for any input on these questions, or any general advice that I might not have encountered yet. I really like hare pie